Samaritan's Purse helping victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines

Christian relief organization sending specialized team as deadly storm forces 750,000 from homes

CALGARY, Nov. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse is sending staff and other resources to the Philippines to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan, the storm with sustained 300-km/hr winds that has killed at least four people so far and forced 750,000 from their homes while flattening houses like match sticks, producing five-meter-high waves, and flooding many parts of the region.

"The full extent of the damage is now being surveyed by our Disaster Assistance Response Team," said Fred Weiss, executive director of Samaritan's Purse. "We're poised to respond swiftly and effectively, and we're inviting Canadians to come alongside us and donate toward this extremely vital work."

The Christian international relief organization has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) that includes experts on clean water and nutrition in disaster situations. Working alongside local Christian partners, the DART will determine how Samaritan's Purse can best assist storm victims.

Volunteers in Samaritan's Purse Canada's Calgary office are also assembling 6,000 hygiene kits including soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other items to rush to typhoon evacuees.

Known in the Philippines as Yolanda, Typhoon Haiyan is one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever recorded, with wind gusts up to 375 km per hour. As it continues to move across the South China Sea, putting Samaritan's Purse staff in Vietnam on high alert, there are fears it will be even more destructive than Typhoon Bopha that killed about 1,900 people and caused widespread damage last December. Samaritan's Purse also responded to Bopha.

Donations Needed: Canadians wishing to support Samaritan's Purse disaster relief work in the Philippines and around the world can donate by calling 1-866-663-6500 or visiting SamaritansPurse.ca

About Samaritan's Purse Canada
Samaritan's Purse Canada is an international Christian relief and development organization working in about 40 countries to help victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. The Christian charity also operates the well-known Operation Christmas Child program that sends gift-filled shoeboxes to needy children around the world each year. It also builds and installs life-saving BioSand Water Filters in the developing world. For more information, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca.

SOURCE: Samaritan's Purse Canada

Media Inquiries:
Jeff Adams
Communications Director
Samaritan's Purse Canada
1-800-663-6500 (office) | 403-615-8747 (mobile) | [email protected]